I’m in need of some advice. I built a medicine cabinet for my bathroom out of poplar because I intended on painting it. I learn some lessons during the priming and painting process. I currently have an oil based primer applied with a latex paint applied as a topcoat. I’m wondering if I need to put a polyurethane or something over the topcoat to protect it from abuse in my bathroom. Anyone have any suggestions?

I haven’t heard about topcoating paint. I suppose it is done, but I’mnot aware of it as a woodworking thing.

When surfaces are properly prepared, paint usually sticks well to woodand holds up well.

I think oil-based paints are more durable than latex, which is a little rubbery, but tough when it dries. Latex takes bumps, kind of likepoly, as it is tough. In contrast I find oil paint harder, more brittle,like lacquer.

These are subtle distinctions really. One thrill of painting is how easyit is to repair.

gloss, semi, and satin all have varying degrees of sheen. the more sheen the easier to keep clean also better at keeping out moisture and i’m assuming that this is in a bathroom. Good rule of thumb is any kind of cabinet in a bath and even a kithchen needs to be at least a satin, although i wouldn’t. gloss and semi gloss clean and wipe better. water condensation from a hot shower or bath will leave marks or dirt over time.

You can put a top coat over it. keep in mind most polyeurathanes are a yellowish color and add that to what ever you put it on. You can get a clear spray like spray paint, and i have used it to seal figures that were painted on a chiild’s footstool an toybox with no problems.